Stanford overcomes slow start to topple Denver 85-62

Oziyah Sellers led four players in double figures with a career-high 24 points, Maxime Raynaud delivered with a double-double and Stanford earned an 85-62 victory over visiting Denver on Monday afternoon in the season opener for both teams.

Raynaud, a preseason All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection, compiled 16 points, a game-high 12 rebounds and six assists for the Cardinal (1-0), who rewarded head coach Kyle Smith with a win in his Stanford debut.

Sebastian Akins paced the Pioneers (0-1) with 15 points off the bench.

A 17-17 team a year ago, Denver took an 18-17 lead just past the midway point of the first half on two free throws by Nicholas Shogbonyo.

The Pioneers hung within 21-20 after a Ben Bowen layup with 7:33 remaining in the first half before Stanford closed the period on a 17-2 run. Sellers and Benny Gealer contributed 3-pointers to the flurry, while Raynaud chipped in with a three-point play.

Stanford led 38-22 at halftime and coasted home, riding 49.2-percent shooting. Sellers, a transfer from Southern California, finished 10-for-15 from the floor to lead the way, while Gealer connected on four of his six 3-point attempts. Sellers added seven rebounds.

Stanford's biggest lead was 27 points with just over two minutes remaining.

The Cardinal outscored the Pioneers 21-9 on 3-pointers despite making just 30.4 percent. The Pioneers struggled from deep, going 3-for-17 (17.6 percent).

Gealer and Blakes had 12 points and three steals apiece for the Cardinal, who went 14-18 a year ago. Blakes tied Raynaud for game-high assist honors with six and also blocked two shots.

Stanford's defense forced 20 Denver turnovers, converting them into 23 points.

DeAndre Craig backed Akins with 12 points, five rebounds and a team-high four assists. Pedro Lopez Sanvicente chipped in with 10 points, while Tymo Sternicki was Denver's leading rebounder with six.

-Field Level Media